Pictured at the Youth Award Ceremony in Hauppauge are from left Legislator Rob Trotta, his 2025 Youth Honoree Michael Canonico and Minority Leader Jason Richberg, who sponsored this legislation. Photo from Leg. Trotta's office
In 2020, the Legislature established the Annual Youth Award to recognize an exceptional young person in each Legislative District. Legislator Trotta named Michael Canonico, a student at Kings Park High School, as his district Youth Award recipient. Legislator Trotta met Michael at his Eagle Scout Court of Honor earlier this year.
Throughout most of his youth, Michael has had many challenges as he is deaf and learned to listen through a cochlear implant hearing aid as a boy. For his Eagle Scout Community Service Project, Michael designed and built an outdoor learning space outside of the library at the William T. Rogers middle School in Kings Park.
Legislator Trotta said, “Michale is a bright young man who has accomplished a great deal while still a teenager. He has developed leadership skills, and other qualities of humanity so desirable in young people. I wish him much success with his future endeavors as his goal is to open his own body shop to repair damaged vehicles.
Incumbents Jeremy Flint and Raymond Graham were reelected as trustees for the Village of Poquott, filling the two open seats. Flint had 61 votes and Graham had 60.
Having just completed their first two-year terms in the village, both candidates decided to run again, happy to work for the village they love.
Jeremy Flint
Flint moved to Poquott from his native Fort Lauderdale, Florida, in 2021 in an interesting reversal of recent trends. “When I first moved up, people asked me why. I told them ‘to get away from all the New Yorkers because so many move in the other direction,’” he said.
He and his wife toured houses during COVID-19, when suburban homes were getting bought quickly as people emigrated from the city. When he and his wife toured their current home, they “immediately fell in love.” “It felt like home,” Flint said, and they put an offer in that very evening.
Flint owns his own business working in insurance, construction and consulting.
Galvanized to run after noticing how homes in his village were being utilized as rental properties, Flint ran for trustee in 2023, won and was appointed deputy mayor. Now, there are stipulations preventing residents or property owners from renting out their homes for short intervals. The village enforces a 30-day-stay minimum for rentals.
Additionally, Flint is eager to continue working on improving the safety of Poquott roads, expanding community events, advancing village technology to “improve interaction with residents” and refreshing the 10-year master plan.
He said his focus as trustee is respecting the balance of his unique community. “It is a combination of the inevitable moving into the future and working on the village and the upkeep,” he said
Graham is also entering his second term. He works in the Kings Park Central School District as a middle school librarian.
A Kings Park native, he moved to Poquott in 2019 and quickly became involved in the community volunteering, putting on fundraisers and embracing the community he called a “little slice of paradise.”
It felt like a natural transition, then, when he ran for trustee in 2023 after the previous trustee moved. Like Flint, Graham is concerned about safety.
“I want my roads to be safe,” he said. “I want my neighbors to be safe living here so I have been focusing my time on that aspect.”
Indeed, the village has experimented with movable speed bumps as part of a PILOT program, which allowed the village to both gauge resident reaction and test where they would be more efficient.
Graham also said he is eager to continue fostering community unity through events like the annual summer barbeque. He is also floating the idea for a 5k run through the village as, he said, the local running community is growing. The scenic views and hilly roads provide a good combination of pleasurable views and a tough workout.
Poquott beaches and infrastructures suffered damage in last year’s storm; Graham is eager to continue working with the Federal Emergency Management Agency “to try and restore the beautification of our village.”
One beach particularly suffered from the 100-year storm, Walnut Beach. “At high tide you can’t even walk down the beach in that area because of the erosion,” Graham said.
For more information visit the village website: www.villageofpoquott.com.
Graham and Flint’s term will be three years as the village transitions to four year terms for trustees.
Suffolk County Legislator Rob Trotta (center) presented Ex-Captain Vince Spirio with a proclamation to acknowledge him as his legislative district’s Healthcare Hero for his service as the Ex-Captain of Ambulance 6 (center). They were joined by his fellow crew
members from left to right: Kim Kgoulian, Ann Schumacher, Jes Brugueras, honoree Vince Spirio, Legislator Trotta and Greg Kgoulian.
The Suffolk County Legislature created an annual recognition program so that each legislator would designate a Healthcare Hero from his or her legislative district to acknowledge their work as a frontline healthcare worker and their service to the community.
Legislator Trotta named Ex-Captain Vince Spirio of Smithtown as his district’s Healthcare Hero for 2025. Ex-Captain Spirio became an Emergency Medical Technician in 1985. However, it was not until 2019 that he joined the Smithtown Fire Department Company. Through dedication and diligence, he rose to the rank of Lieutenant in 2022. He served as Captain of Ambulance Company 6 from April 2023 through April of 2025.
Under Captain Spirio’s leadership, during the period of 2023 through 2024, Captain Spirio, the Smithtown Fire Department and its Ambulance Company 6 responded to a total of 9098 calls, of which 4884 were calls for EMS assistance. “Ex- Captain Vince Spirio has been tireless in his efforts and performance. He has clearly demonstrated that he has dedicated himself to serving the emergency medical care needs of the community,” said Suffolk County Legislator Rob Trotta. “I recall as a young police officer that when I responded to a call that involved a shooting or stabbing or motor vehicle accident, I was so relieved to see the EMS at the scene. You represent all the EMS of Suffolk County. Thank you and keep up the great work,” added Legislator Trotta.
The Suffolk County Department of Health Services in conjunction with the Town of Brookhaven will offer free rabies vaccinations for dogs, cats and ferrets on Saturday, June 28, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Brookhaven Animal Shelter located at 300 Horseblock Road in Brookhaven. Although the clinic is available to all Suffolk County residents, the quantity of vaccine is limited and available only while supplies last. All dogs must be on leashes and all cats and ferrets must be in carriers.
New York State and Suffolk County laws require that all dogs, cats, and ferrets be vaccinated against rabies. Vaccinating pets not only provides protection for the animals but also acts as a barrier to keep the rabies virus from spreading between wild animals and people.
“Take the time to protect your beloved pets against rabies. They give us so much joy and love and deserve to be kept safe,” said County Executive Ed Romaine. For more information, call 631-451-6950.
Election primary at the Town of Smithtown. Photo by Sabrina Artusa
By Sabrina Artusa
Smithtown Supervisor Ed Wehrheim (R) secures the Republican seat for town supervisor, winning the Republican primary alongside Lynne Nowick (R) and Thomas J. McCarthy (R) for the town board seats.
Wehrheim, who has held the position since 2018, was challenged by current Suffolk County Legislator Rob Trotta (R) for the GOP candidacy for town supervisor. Wehrheim won 3,728 votes while Trotta had 3,059.
Former director of the Smithtown Parks, Buildings & Grounds Department, Wehrheim campaigned on restoring Smithtown parks, revitalizing the downtown areas and maintaining the town’s fiscal health. According to Nowick, 70% of Smithtown parks have already been improved.
An exuberant crowd of residents and Republican officials gathered at Napper Tandy’s Tuesday night as Wehrheim spoke, the live vote results projected on the screen behind him.
Wehrheim said he endured a “very rough campaign,” with the last weeks having been “very negative from my opponent.” He commended his team for their dedication to his campaign.
Salvatore Formica won the primary for Suffolk County legislator representing the 13th district and will run for that seat in November. He beat Frank Black by around 15%.
Having worked as chief for the Commack Fire Department and as a detective for NYPD, Formica is “excited to get back to work to keep Suffolk County safe” by supporting the police and fire departments. He went on discussing the increased demand on fire districts and the plethora of stressors, including mental health, that weigh on law enforcement.
Nowick currently holds a seat on the Smithtown council and was previously a Suffolk County legislator and a tax receiver. She said, “I want to make sure we are very rigorous in getting the downtowns revitalized” and “maintain what we are doing now with parks, beaches, golf courses, concerts and athletics.”
McCarthy said he campaigned “on the facts, the work, the job and doing the best for Smithtown.”
Nowick and McCarthy each won by around 29% of votes, beating challengers Robert Semprini and Joann Tiereny-Varello.
The winners will be included in the Nov. 4 general election.
Smyth will be the GOP candidate for Huntington supervisor; Dr. Dave Bennardo and Greg Grizopoulos will run for council in November. Photo courtesy of Town of Huntington
By Peter Sloniewsky
Huntington Supervisor Ed Smyth
On June 24, a combined slate of incumbent Huntington Town Supervisor Edmund Smyth, Councilmember David Bennardo and Councilmember-hopeful Greg Grizopoulos soundly defeated an opposition slate in the Huntington Republican primary. With all 185 districts reporting, Smyth earned more than 60% of the vote. Bennardo and Grizopoulos, in a field of four candidates with two winners, led with 31 and 29%, respectively.
Smyth was first elected town supervisor in 2021 and previously served a term on the Town Board beginning in 2017. A lifelong resident of Huntington, Smyth is also a veteran and an attorney with four children. He defined his term as supervisor by improvements in fiscal stability, revitalization projects in parks, and improvements to the building permitting process.
Huntington Councilmember Dave Bennardo
In Smyth’s reelection letter in March, he stuck by and reaffirmed the importance of his legislative record in office, noting his “record of strong fiscal management of your [sic] tax dollars, continued improvements to public safety, parks, beaches, roads, and garbage.” He also noted that he and his slate “ignore social media sensationalism and run a drama-free government through unspectacular hard work.”
Bennardo, a Huntington resident of more than 25 years, has served as both a high school principal and as the superintendent of South Huntington schools. Bennardo is also a noted advocate of fiscal responsibility and has worked on water quality, shoreline quality, park enhancement and road paving since joining the town council in 2021.
Grizopoulos, a former assistant district attorney, is a partner at the law firm Grizopoulos & Portz, P.C. and resides in Melville. Grizopoulos places significant importance on “preserving Huntington’s suburban character” alongside fiscal responsibility.
Greg Grizopoulos. Photo courtesy of www.gpnylaw.com
The competitiveness of this primary arose from the legal and political backlash to last year’s approval of an “overlay district” in Melville, which could entail the construction of high-density rental apartments. Councilwoman Brooke Lupinacci, Smyth’s opponent, was the only town councilmember to vote against the plan. Lupinacci ran on a ticket alongside former Councilman Eugene Cook and former Zoning Board of Appeals Chairman John Posillico.
In addition to the controversy surrounding this apartment project, Lupinacci accused Smyth of political retribution after an administrative reorganization plan resulted in the firing of all of her individual staff members in favor of a more selective “Town Call Center.” In February, Lupinacci said that she would “not back down or be intimidated by their actions,” and an automated email response from her office still notes that “the Supervisor and his Board terminated my staff members.”
Smyth, Bennardo and Grizopoulos will run in the general election on Nov. 4.
Pictured from left, Past Commodore and Treasurer Eileen Kelly, Past Commodore Bill Dick Jr., Rear Commodore Bill Dick III, Commodore Peter Parks, Vice Commodore Janet Rossi, Father Patrick Riegger, MSYC Chaplin Charles Glover, and Councilwoman Jane Bonner.
On Sunday, June 22nd, Brookhaven Town Councilwoman Jane Bonner joined members of the Mount Sinai Yacht Club and the local maritime community for the 20th Annual Blessing of the Fleet, a yearly tradition honoring Long Island’s boating community.
The event was held at the Mount Sinai Yacht Club, and included club members, clergy, and residents to celebrate the start of the boating season. This year marked the 20th anniversary of the event, which has become a tradition of the Mount Sinai community’s summer calendar.
“It is always a pleasure to take part in this community tradition,” said Councilwoman Bonner. “The Blessing of the Fleet is not only a celebration of our coastal way of life, but a reminder of the importance of safety, community, and stewardship of our waterways.”
Councilwoman Bonner commended the Mount Sinai Yacht Club for two decades of dedication to the event and expressed her appreciation to all who make the Blessing of the Fleet a special occasion year after year.
Suffolk County Police arrested a Kings Park man on June 23 for stalking a Suffolk County legislator outside of his home last week.
Legislator Robert Trotta reported to police that between June 16 and June 18 a white 1989 Chevrolet pickup truck parked in the driveway of his Northport home on more than one occasion and revved its engine to intimidate him and his family. The incident was reported to police on June 19.
Following an investigation by Major Case Unit detectives, Joshua Smith was arrested today on Indian Head Road in Kings Park at approximately 5:45 p.m. Smith, 47, of Burr Ave., was charged with Stalking 4th Degree, a misdemeanor. He was released on a Desk Appearance Ticket and is scheduled to appear at First District Court in Central Islip on a later date.
When questioned, Trotta’s political opponent Smithtown Town Supervisor Ed Wehrheim said that the man was a friend of his daughter’s.
Anyone with information on this incident is asked to contact Major Case Unit detectives at 631-852-6555.
Route 347 and Nicolls Road overview in Stony Brook.
By William Stieglitz
The New York State Department of Transportation, in cooperation with local officials, is considering multiple design proposals for an overpass bridge at the intersection of Nicolls Road and Route 347, includinga new “preferred alternative” design that is distinct from the two designs previously made available to the public.
These previous proposals, explained Brookhaven Councilmember Jonathan Kornreich (D-Stony Brook), included a diamond design and a clover design. The diamond design, similar to the intersection of Nicolls Road and Middle Country Road, would have an overpass providing straight passage for one road, but would require a traffic light for the perpendicular road underneath. “It would only solve half the traffic problem, not all of it,” said Kornreich.
The proposed clover shaped design. This rendering portrays ramps and would not require traffic lights. Photo courtesy Brookhaven Councilmember Jonathan Kornreich
The clover design, similar to the intersection of the Long Island Expressway and Nicolls Road, would feature looped ramps and no traffic lights. However, this would require more space, placing the ramps directly behind some homes.
“It would affect a small number of people in a negative way,” said Kornreich. “However, for the vast majority of people, the thousands and thousands of people who use that intersection every day, by having the full clover leaf, now there are no lights at that intersection.”
The “preferred alternative” design, explained NYS Assemblymember Rebecca Kassay (D–Port Jefferson), was initially shown to her in May when she met with the DOT. The new design, she was told, “resulted from internal DOT conversations about design feasibility and traffic needs.”
Since that meeting, she has emailed the DOT with a list of questions regarding details of the design and plans to engage the public with updated information.She asked if there is statistical data to support one design over the other two as well as accessibility differences for ambulances and commuters.
She advocated for sound walls to prevent residents and businesses from being impacted by additional traffic noise, as well as landscape installations that could help drainage, water quality and beautification. Furthermore, she requested visual references of designs of other NYS DOT bridges for community consideration.
“My office has been coordinating closely with residents who have worked for many years to keep this intersection clean and welcoming for our community,” said Kassay. “I am grateful for the passion they have for our community and their willingness to go above and beyond to care for Nicolls Road and Route 347.”
Three Village Civic Association President Charles Tramontana said that while the DOT has been in contact with Kassay and Kornreich, the DOT had not been meeting with them regarding this phase of the project, and that they are awaiting updates. “We definitely have questions,” he said, referencing how he’d want to know how the chosen proposal would affect the clearing of woods and its aesthetic ramifications.
Tramontana said the lack of communication presented a problem, citing as an example the DOT recently removing trees from the north side of the intersection, without the association being told it would happen beforehand. Tramontana said, “In everything, we always strive to have good communication so that there’s no surprises, there’s no rumors, everybody knows exactly what’s going to take place. That’s what we’re looking to facilitate as a civic association.”
Local Officials & Solid Waste Experts to address the environmental and economic challenges & their current impact on Long Island
Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine, Stony Brook University’s Waste Reduction and Management Institute and the Evan R. Liblit Scholarship Fund have announced the 2025 Larry Swanson Long Island Environmental Symposium will be held on Wednesday, June 25 at Suffolk County Community College’s Brentwood Campus from 8 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
County Executive Romaine will be joined by local and solid waste experts and service providers to discuss the various challenges the industry is currently facing, including the need for a regional solid waste management plan.
“There are many obstacles related to solid waste on Long Island that impact our regional economy and environment,” said Romaine. “We must continue to discuss the challenges that are in front of us and lay ahead to preserve our future while ensuring we take a coordinated approach to dispose solid waste and recycle glass and ash responsibly.”
Topics to be addressed at the third annual event include regional solid waste management planning, the critical role of waste to energy facilities in managing solid waste, development of a glass recycling master plan and regional glass recycling and removing food from the waste stream.
Long Island elected officials and solid waste experts will gather to address the future of how Long Island will manage its ever-increasing waste including:
Suffolk County Executive Edward P. Romaine speaking regarding Suffolk County’s efforts to facilitate environmentally sound and cost-effective waste management;
The work of the WRMI in developing a regional solid waste management plan;
The critical role of waste to energy facilities in managing Long Island solid waste and waste to energy ash processing and recycling;
Separation of recyclables from mixed solid waste and construction and demolition debris;
Regional glass recycling;
Removing organics/food scraps from the waste stream
The WRMI was created by the New York State Legislature to confront the increasingly complex waste issues arising on Long Island, where per capita waste generation exceeds that in the rest of the U.S. Long Island is also a place where future landfills have been prohibited to protect the Island’s drinking water, which is solely derived from an underground aquifer. Michael E. White serves as the WRMI’s Interim Director at Stony Brook University.
“This year’s Larry Swanson Environmental Symposium comes at a critical time for determining the future of solid waste management on Long Island,” said Interim Director of the WRMI Michael E. White. “WRMI is proud to be a partner in bringing forth the Symposium and to have the opportunity to present the need for regional solid waste planning on Long Island along with the work of WRMI to develop such a plan connecting with local government, the solid waste industry and stakeholders.”
The Evan R. Liblit Memorial Scholarship Committee provides scholarships at Stony Brook and hosts events and webinars aimed at improving recycling and solid waste management.
The event will take place at the Suffolk Federal Credit Union Arena (Lecture Hall D105) at Suffolk Community College’s Grant Campus, 1001 Crooked Hill Road in Brentwood.
Attendance is free, however guests must register by clicking here or by contacting [email protected].
